Campaign Finance Data Shows Some State Candidates Ahead

Midyear campaign finance reports are in for General Assembly elections, and so far incumbents rule the roost when it comes to fundraising over 2011.

Based on campaign finance data available on the Virginia Public Access Project website, some top donors from James City County include Tommy Norment for Senate, Williamsburg Pottery Factory and Sea World (which owns Busch Gardens). Top donors from York County include Bay Electric, ITA International and Brenda Pogge for Delegate. Top donors from Williamsburg include Michael Chohany, Branscome, Inc., Colin Campbell (head of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation) and Henderson Inc.

The largest spread in donation dollars collected is between Mark Frechette and incumbent Sen. Tommy Norment, who are facing off for the Republican nomination for the 3rd Senate District. Norment has raised $214,785 (amount raised includes cash, loans and in-kind donations) in 2011, according to data from VPAP, while Frechette has collected $2,734, all of which has come out of his own pocket.

Norment’s biggest recent donors are the Virginia Bankers Association with $10,028 and Verizon with $7,500. Some donations coming out of the Historic Triangle to his campaign include $4,000 from the Williamsburg Pottery Factory, $1,500 from King’s Creek Plantation and York County’s Orion Air Group, and $1,000 from Colin Campbell.

Tommy Norment for Senate has donated nearly $40,000 this year to various campaigns, including $5,000 for Williamsburg resident Mickey Chohany’s Senate bid and $500 for Brenda Pogge’s reelection campaign.

In the race for the 1st District Senate seat, Democratic incumbent Sen. John Miller has collected $97,128 in 2011. Of that, $11,372 has come from the state Democratic Party and $6,000 is from Richard Saslaw for Senate. Some local donors include the Orion Air Group and the James City County Democrats with $1,500 each.

Miller has only contributed $750 in 2011, all of which went to the Democratic Party.

Miller’s challenger this year is local Republican Mickey Chohany, who has raised $49,068 so far. Of that, $5,000 is from Norment for Senate and $2,699 is out of his own pocket. Chohany has also loaned his campaign $30,000. Other local contributors include $1,000 from Doris Chohany and $500 from David Bowditch.

The New Pottery | Williamsburg VA Real Estate, Market News ...

Built in 1938, The Williamsburg Pottery Factory has long been a mecca for bargain shoppers interested in pottery, china, silk flowers, and more. Founder James E. Maloney started the venture on Route 60 near Colonial Williamsburg to create salt glaze pottery at affordable prices.  The idea took off, and eventually the property expanded to 200 acres, 32 buildings, 8000 parking spaces, a campground and at one time its own dedicated Amtrak station.

At the pinnacle of “The Pottery’s” popularity over 3,000,000 people per year wandered through its warehouses lined with hundreds of thousands of bargain items. As years passed, though, the buildings suffered from wear and tear, the parking lots became pocked with potholes and the sheen wore away.  Attendance was reported to sink to around 500,000 people annually. Maloney’s death and the rise of the Prime Outlets nearby threatened to close the entire venture and subject the property to division and sale. However, in August, 2010, Kim Maloney, James’ widow, delighted Williamsburg locals and visitors alike with a new plan to renovate and bring new life to the beloved Pottery.

Construction is underway on the new strip mall section of The Pottery. The design by Tingle-Guernsey Architects features a European Theme which Kim Maloney has indicated was close to James’ heart. Three buildings will house shopping and a café dining area, and a courtyard will feature a stage for live performances. The salt glaze factory and greenhouse will continue to operate on the “solar” side of the railroad tracks. Fan favorites like silk flowers and custom framing will be joined by new retail items and brand names.

The Pottery has scheduled a grand re-opening of the Pottery on April 5, 2012, which would have been Jim Maloney’s 100 birthday. The project is located conveniently across the street from the active adult community Colonial Heritage and is expected to bring jobs and an influx of visitors to the Williamsburg area.

Love the idea of shopping at the Pottery year-round? Consider making Williamsburg your home, and contact me today! I look forward to “Guiding You Home!” © 2011 Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities. An independently owned and operated broker member of Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc., a Prudential Financial company. Prudential, the Prudential logo and the Rock symbol are service marks of Prudential Financial, Inc. and its related entities, registered in many jurisdictions worldwide. Used under license. Equal Housing Opportunity.

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